With 10 wins in 14 matches, nine of which have been sweeps, the Maryland volleyball team found success early in its season.

But the majority of those victories came during nonconference play as a new-look Terps squad under first-time coach Adam Hughes attempted find a rhythm. As Big Ten play begins, though, Maryland will face a litany of experienced teams.

The Terps toppled Rutgers in straight sets to open their Big Ten slate Wednesday. However, Maryland showed on Saturday it still has a ways to go before it matches up evenly with the Big Ten’s elite. No. 7 Minnesota swept the Terps in front of 5,444 fans in their first true road test, the biggest crowd Maryland has played in front of this year.

“It was a good atmosphere for us to play in with such a young team,” Hughes said. “They did not back down.”

[Read more: Maryland volleyball offense struggles in straight-set loss to No. 7 Minnesota]

Maryland has yet to win a set inside Maturi Pavilion since joining the Big Ten in 2014. On Saturday, the Terps hung around in all three sets against the Golden Gophers before fading late each frame. Hughes said he wants his team to maintain momentum better in future matches.

Minnesota seized control of sets throughout the contest with four runs of five or more consecutive points.

“We’ve just got to find ways to get the runs to stop,” Hughes said. “Against teams like that, it’s tough to come out of that situation and try to come back.”

[Read more: Maryland volleyball opens Big Ten play with dominant sweep of Rutgers]

Late in the first frame, Maryland held an 18-16 edge. But Minnesota flipped the script, rattling off six straight points as part of a 9-1 run to win the set.

The Terps narrowly missed the NCAA tournament last year. Their 7-13 Big Ten record, which included just two conference wins on the road, may have played a part in the snub.

To return near that level again in 2018, despite losing coach Steve Aird and four of Maryland’s top five attackers from the year before, improved results in conference play, especially in hostile road environments, will be key.

The Terps get to stay home for the next two matches before facing No. 4 Penn State in State College. Since joining the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland has yet to win a set on the road against the Nittany Lions.

Middle blocker Katie Myers, currently in her third season with the Terps, emphasized the need for consistency when playing in loud opposing arenas against annual NCAA tournament challengers.

“It’s going to be like this every single night,” Myers said. “We’re going to have to bring our best performance because everyone’s going to bring their best to us.”